The Evolution of Educational Policy and Planning in Thailand: From NEC to ONEC and OEC

Abstract

The organization that is directly responsible for formulating educational policy and planning in Thailand is the Office of the Education Council (OEC) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. This chapter describes the evolution of the policy and planning process in Thailand from the first educational plan prepared by Chao Phraya Pasakornwong in the late 1800s to the situation today. It describes the key organizations over time that have been responsible for educational policy and planning, namely, the National University Council (NUC), the National Education Council (NEC), the Office of the National Education Commission (ONEC), and, currently since 2003, the OEC. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the OEC and recommendations for how it could be improved.